By CINDY LADAGE

Illinois Correspondent

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Agriculture shows up in many ways at the 2018 Illinois State Fair. In the midst of the grounds, for one, is an array of modern equipment with antique counterparts next to them.

Illinois Department of Agriculture Director Raymond Poe mentioned the importance of showing the old with the new “because many young farmers have never seen this.”

One of the most striking examples is a modern combine with a 12-row corn head next to a Massey-Harris tractor with an attached two-row corn picker. Those who love antique iron will enjoy a visit to the exhibit area below the Grandstand.

Inside the Dairy Building is the always popular Butter Cow. Chicago resident Linda Spanberger loves the state fair and said the Dairy Cow and Building hold some of her fondest memories. Spanberger is a former Springfield resident and enjoys returning for the fair when she can.

This year’s design is a champion cow sculpted by Sarah Pratt of West Des Moines, Iowa. The busy sculptor didn’t make it the fair, however; she was also busy developing sculptures that included a John Deere tractor for the Iowa State Fair, since Deere is celebrating 100 years of tractor production.

At the Butter Cow unveiling August 8, Dairy Building Superintendent Marla Behrends introduced Illinois County Fair Queen Samantha Hasselbring, who grew up on a beef farm and noted going to see the Cow is a family tradition.

Hasselbring is from Cissna Park in Iroquois County. She is the 59th Miss Illinois County Fair Queen. Crowned during the 108th Illinois Assoc. of Agricultural Fairs convention in January, serves as hostess of both the Illinois State Fair and the Du Quoin State Fair.

Also at the unveiling was Poe, who said, “I have been coming to the fair since the 1940s. It is a family event to see the Butter Cow – it is probably the most-photographed thing on the fairgrounds. It is a longstanding tradition.”

Promoting the nutritious aspects of dairy, Behrends was touting a new logo at the fair along with the Butter Cow – “Undeniably Dairy,” with a cow face with a heart in the center. This is because dairy products from around the state are also on display in the building and there are educational games that share the importance of the industry.

There are many opportunities for children to be involved with agriculture at this year’s fair. One amazing 5-year-old, Beckham Oldenttel, started Beckham’s Bookshelf after seeing his older brother collect socks as a community project. So far, the Bookshelf has donated more than 7,000 books to children at schools and hospitals.

Inside the Illinois Department of Agriculture tent there is a donation box set up, and while all books are welcome, Beckham prefers them to be agriculture-related.

Farm animals are always popular with the kids and are another way that agriculture is represented to the public. The Piglets on Parade Birthing Center offers a unique chance for kids and adults to see newborn pigs. The center is sponsored by the Illinois Pork Producers Assoc. and the University of Illinois Department of Animal Sciences.

Besides viewing the babies and sows, the children get a chance to enjoy a free goodie bag filled with educational materials and they can walk away wearing a paper pig-ear hat. Pork is big in Illinois, with 2,000 pork producers who contribute more than $1.8 billion and more than 10,500 jobs to the economy.

FFA chapters share their animals in a petting environment, in addition to the livestock barns, all places non-farmers can interact with farm animals. Conservation World offers a rural experience allowing youth a chance to try out sports like rock climbing, archery and fishing. Conservation World is a 30-acre park that includes the Illinois Department of Natural Resources building.

This year’s Illinois State Fair theme of “Celebrate Illinois – 200 Years of Amazing” highlights the state Bicentennial. It runs until August 19; for more information, log onto www.IllinoisStateFair.info or download the free mobile app.